|
 During
the initial weeks following the Normandy invasion and breakout of
Operation Cobra in July, the M4 and M4A1 Shermans were the main
battle tanks for the American forces.
Tamiya's
M4 Sherman
appeared in 1995. The kit is mistakenly described by Tamiya as an
"early production" Sherman. And because it was based on
the earlier M4A3 kit, it lacks some of the distinct features of
the early M4, most notably with regard to the suspension. This is
further confused by the transitory nature of components on this
particular model — as new features or improvements were made
to the Sherman, they were often introduced in the middle of production.
Some tanks rolled off the assembly line with the new components,
and if the line ran out of the new fittings, they continued production
with what was on hand.
Consequently,
this M4 is one of those tanks where it is best to have a good source
photo from which you do your research and make your choices on what
options to follow. As it stands, the Tamiya hit most accurately
represents a
remanufactured early M4 (using the nice three-piece bolted transmission
cover), or a mid-production version (with the cast transmission).
Because
of its origin, the kit carries forward several problems of the M4A3
(open sponsons, recessed hull welds, molded-on handles, etc.), and
adds a few quirks of its own.
This
kit has some notable features, including a radio for the turret,
breach details for the gun, periscope covers that can be opened
or closed, early three-piece transmission housing, improved split-hatch
cupola for the commander, and a load of accessories and spare parts.
The rubberband tracks got good reviews for their detail and eash
of assembly (the ends glue together, rather than needing a heated
screwdriver like the M4A3 tracks).
Please
refer to the M4A3 tweaks and tips
article to rectify the legacy corrections. Below is a guide to building
the M4. Steve Zaloga's series of books on the Sherman for Concord
Publications is a good resource for photo examples.
| As
a remanufactured mid-production M4: |
| Wheels
and idlers |
The
kit comes with new spoked wheels, but has the M4A3 solid idler.
That's not a problem, however, as many photos show this combination,
as well as solid wheels with spoked idlers. Unfortunately, the
solid idler from the M4A3 kit is hollow on the interior side
and should be filled or replaced with a Verlinden idler. |
|
|
| Suspension |
The
kit-supplied suspension, with the raised return roller arm,
was a late introduction that appeared did not appear on factory
M4's, but was used on remanufactured M4's.
|
|
|
| Transmission
housing |
Use
either the late type cast cover, or the earlier three-piece
housing; tanks were stripped down and reassembled randomly,
so either feature is possible. Add bolts to the side of the
hull where it meets the transmission cover. |
|
|
| Sand
shields |
Rarely
seen in the field, but it's an interesting look if you want
to take that option. The Tamiya kit has a narrow strip along
the hull's bottom edge that suggests a mounting strip. If you
don't use the sand shields, remove this too-narrow strip and
use plastic or p/e to create the attachment points where the
shields would be bolted to the hull. |
|
|
| Weld
seams |
Weld
seams around the hull are recessed, and "should" be
flush or ever so slightly raised. |
|
|
| Appliqué
armor plates |
Added
to remanufactured M4's for extra protection to the turret and
ammo stowage areas. |
|
|
| Culin
hedgerow cutter |
These
were added to M4's for the Cobra breakout; several different
styles are available from TRAKZ at VLS. |
|
|
| Fuel
filler caps |
These
are missing handles, which can be made out of wire. |
|
|
| Front
hull hatches |
Add
missing hatch springs; these did not appear on the early vehicle,
but were added to the intermediate hull. |
|
|
| Casting
numbers |
Add
to turret and hull. |
|
|
| Square
antenna mount |
The
square mount behind the tank commander's hatch is raised, but
should be recessed (as on the Italeri 75mm turret). |
|
|
| For
a true M4 early: |
|
| Missing
early style horn |
The
kit comes with a later version of the horn. The early horn was
a conical shape, positioned on the left fender on the early
M4, and on the glacis slightly off-center on remanufactured
vehicles. You'll have to scrounge one from Tamiya's Lee or Grant
kits, or scratchbuild your own replacement. Remember to add
cable. |
|
|
| Appliqué
armor |
Leave
off. |
|
|
| Transmission
cover |
Use
three-piece transmission cover. |
|
|
| Suspension |
The
early M4 used the horizontal return rollers. The Academy M10
or M12 are good sources. The AFV Club VVSS set takes some work
to fit the Tamiya hull. Tank Workshop also makes a set in resin. |
|
|
| Turret
details |
Fill
in smoke mortar hole; omit spotlight and mount. |
|
|
| Periscope
guards |
Do
not use guards that may come with photoetch kits, early Sherman
did not have them. |
| |
|
| Sand
shield strip |
Remove
molded-on strip and scratchbuild under-sponson clips (Hunnicutt
book, pages 200-201). |
Here
are some update sets that you could use with this kit if you really
want to dress it up:
Aber
- Sherman
M4, M4A1, M4A3 (35032) - Extensive photoetch set for those
who want to go whole hog.
Chesapeake
Model Designs
- 75mm
Sherman Gun Barrel (CMD 16A) - Metal gun tube.
Custom
Dioramics
- Sherman
Detail Set (CD2001) - Generic photoetch details.
- Sherman
Periscopes (CD2002) - Resin and photoetch periscopes and guards.
Eduard
- M4
Sherman (35351) - Updated photoetch set.
Fine
Molds
- WWII
U.S. AFV Periscope Set 1 (MG24) - Set of clear plastic periscopes;
you carefully paint the metal areas, leaving the periscope lens
clear.
Fort
Duquesne Military Miniatures
- VVSS
Update Set (FDA101) - Exquisite resin set of fully detailed
solid spoke road and idler wheels. Both wheel types have grease
plugs, and the road wheels even have the rivets on the inside
lip of the wheel rim. Also included are a pair of transmission
covers and single piece drive sprockets fully detailed on the
inner side, which provides additional detailing if your Sherman
is have its track replaced. I've got two sets of these and will
undoubtedly need more!
Jordi
Rubio
- U.S.
75mm M3 (TG-17)
- Metal barrel.
Ordnance
Models
- M4
Sherman (TTWD 105B) - Small, inexpensive fret of photoetch
with such essentials as the periscope and headlight guards.
RHPS
Models
- T51
Rubber Block Individual Link Track Set (RH01) - Link-to-link
rubber block tracks, a good option if you want to portray a blown
track situation.
The
Show Modelling
- M4
Sherman Detail Set (SH-078)
- Photoetch set, includes numbers for casting marks.
Verlinden
Productions
- Sherman
Update Kit (0204) - Offers periscopes, two antenna mount styles,
dished road wheels, oval loader's hatch, and more.
- Sherman
Super Detail Set (0263) - Photoetch periscope and headlight
guards, machine gun cradle, tool straps, and more.
- U.S.
Tank Periscopes WWII/Early '50s (0341) - Various periscopes
for detailing hatches.
- M4
Early Sherman Interior (1244) - nice interior for the M4,
which has distinct differences from the M4A1 and M4A3.
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